I have discovered something that’s become a modern plague in today’s society. Something so profound and disturbing, it has become the standard for the average Joe: complacency.
In an age where information from all over the world is readily available, it seems people care less and less about what is actually happening. I’m not talking about the well-informed news reader, or the active BBC watcher here. I’m talking about the person who watches the evening news or CNN every once in a while.
It’s this esteemed group of people I am a part of. I’m not being condescending when saying most people aren’t that well-informed. It’s not too much of a travesty not everyone is on top of current events. Every detail of the local news minutia isn’t necessary fact.
There’s the fact, too, the news itself isn’t too riveting anymore. Every day it seems like a new violent crime has happened or another financial crisis is threatening to destroy our country as we know it. Hearing the same story with slight differences led me to stop watching the news for the most part. I can’t help but feel I’m not alone in this regard.
It’s this numbing of people’s attention I find disconcerting. Last week, Moammar Gaddafi was killed after months of insurrection in Libya. Footage of the former-president being killed was broadcast on the news, and what was the reaction?
Nothing.
The death of a human being was broadcast on national television, and people weren’t angry, or appalled, or upset at all. People were celebrating.
In what kind of world are we living where celebrating the death of another human being is on the level?
I don’t know the answer to that question, but it’s the image of a world I’m not particularly pleased with. In a country where the media profoundly affects society, we need to think about why we would react the way we did.
What happened to the American Dream? When did the concept of living in a country where one could do what they wanted and be happy be replaced by the society we live in: one rife with high expectations based on income, appearance and social standing. If one isn’t upper-class, making five-figures, with the trophy-wife or husband in a huge suburban home, then what’s the point, right?
While that point seems like a far cry from a complacent public due to the news, it still remains true. We, as Americans, are jaded. There are no ifs, ands or buts. People are so concerned about how they appear to others nowadays, they don’t even realize the real problems in the world today. People like you and me are more concerned about being successful in the future than whether or not there will even be a future to live in.
Think about how instead of worrying about yourself, you can actually educate yourself about real social issues the world over. Don’t listen to our sensationalist news channels. Not all news is about war and economic shutdown. You just need to find it.
